The Pre-Printing Press Challenge

May 1st 2009-April 30th 2010

Elana of All Booked Up is hosting her very first challenge.

Here's how she describes it:

I've seen a lot of challenges for reading romances, fiction, award winning books and many more. Challenges on various themes (King Arthur etc.) and challenges to fit certain criteria, such as the What's In A Name Challenge.What I haven't seen is a challenge for reading books that pre-date the Printing Press. There's so many good pieces of writing that fit in this category (and I'm not asking you to read them in the original language unless you want to). So, for my first reading challenge, the pre-printing press challenge, I'm asking people to give these ancient and medieval books a try.I'll admit that I'm more familiar with the European books, but if you know of something that fits the qualifications of the challenge from other parts of the world, feel free to include it.

To find out more of to join, visit The Pre-Printing Press Challenge.

Freebie Friday - EVENT

A weekly event on Fridays hosted by Books, Books, The Magical Fruit

Sue at Books, Books, The Magical Fruit is hosting a weekly event on Fridays called Freebie Friday. She writes:

Every Friday I will post a book that I have read and would like to pass on (share).

I'll post the book and on the following Thursday draw a name (using randomizer) to pick a winner of the book.

A new book will be posted each Friday.

Care to play along? Visit Sue every Friday on her blog.

The Eco Reading Challenge

May 1 - September 1, 2009

Chris at Book-A-Rama is hosting the Eco Reading Challenge. This is a two-part challenge. For part I, Chris writes:

It's simple. Part One, pick 5 books with a Environmental theme and read them in 5 months.

For part II, Chris is asking readers to commit to an act of Green Reading. For example:

*buy used books or books made from recycled materials whenever possible
*take reusable shopping bags when buying books
*replace light bulbs in reading lamps with compact fluorescent ones
*move to window or outside to read instead of turning on lights
*wear a sweater when reading instead of turning up heat
*plant a tree to read under

If you complete the challenge by Sept 1, Chris will put your name in a drawing for some tawashis she plans on crocheting out of some beautiful green organic cotton (A tawashi is a Japanese scrubber for fruit/vegetables or dishes. Very environmentally friendly.).

To learn more and to sign up with Mr. Linky, visit the post about the challenge.

Challenge: Sunshine Smackdown -- Battle of the Prizes

May 1-September 7, 2009

Rose City Reader is hosting her very first challenge.

This challenge pits winners of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction against the winners of the National Book Award. Does one prize have higher standards than the other? Pick better winners? Provide more reading entertainment or educational value? Maybe challenge participants will be able to answer these and more questions – maybe they will simply read three great books!

DETAILS:

Choose three books that you have not read before:

1) One that won both the Pulitzer and the National;

2) One that won the Pulitzer but not the National;

3) One that won the National but not the Pulitzer.

OPTION: For those who have already read all six of the double-dippers, or otherwise do not want to read one of those six, pick two Pulitzer winners and two National winners for a total of four books.

For more information or to join this challenge, go to Challenge: Sunshine Smackdown -- Battle of the Prizes.

Comment Verification Activated

...My apologies to my readers that I have been forced to activate comment verification due to one particular, very persistent spammer. I hate to do this, but I am left with no choice.

Thanks for your understanding.

Read With Kids Challenge

April 1 - June 30, 2009

U.S. Airways is partnering with Reading Is Fundamental for the Read With The Kids Challenge. The Press Release for this challenge reads:

The 2008 Read with Kids Challenge achieved overwhelming success in its first year with more than 16,000 participants logging 3.8 million minutes of reading. This year, the challenge is climbing to new heights with a goal of collectively logging 5 million minutes spent reading with children from April 1-June 30. Participants can register and log their minutes online at www.RIF.org/readwithkids.

All participants will be entered to win a grand prize drawing of a Walt Disney World^®; Resort vacation package from US Airways Vacations, US Airways gift cards, and other great prizes.

Also in the Press Release:

US Airways—the official airline of RIF—is also encouraging customers, employees, and readers nationwide to support children's literacy by making a donation to RIF. Donors can receive a special edition of Off You Go, Maisy!–a children's book by best-selling author Lucy Cousins-and be eligible to receive up to 5,000 US Airways Dividend Miles.

Interested in participating? Visit the registration and sign up page to join in.

Printz Project

Perpetual Challenge - NO Time Limits

Suey (It's All About Books), Jessica (The Bluestocking Society) are hosting a perpetual challenge to read all the Printz Award winners. The Printz Project has its own blog. Suey and Jessica write:

Since the Printz Award is a relatively new award, we’re structuring this site a little differently. Each Printz Award-winning book and honor book has its own post. When you read one of the books, head on over to its post and leave either a link to your review on your own blog or go ahead and post your thoughts right there in the comments. This format is designed to keep reviews on the same book together. Each book’s post has a picture of the cover and the synopsis from the publisher. Feel free to browse about.

To read more and to sign up by leaving a comment, visit the post about the challenge.

Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009

May 22 - September 7, 2009

Molly at My Cozy Book Nook is hosting the Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009. She writes:

I love to travel, but with the economy the way it is, a get-away summer vacation is not in the budget this year. However, books are very affordable (and libraries add new meaning to the phrase "price is no object"). I anticipate taking many 'literary' vacations over the course of the next few months, and I hope you can join me as well.

There are two different levels of participation from which to choose:

• Beach Bumb: you will read 3 books during this time frame (a leisurely book-a-month); cross-over book selections from other challenges may count; and you do not have to list books in advance -- after all, summer vacation is a time for spontaneity.
  
• Globe Trotter: you will commit to reading 6 pre-selected books during this time frame, but you may substitute up to 3 books due to changes in travel plans. Cross-overs for 5 out of the 6 books are allowed, but ideally one book will be read for this challenge alone.

The guidelines are simple: you may read any literary genre that you enjoy - provided it allows you to "travel" to a different locale that you would like to visit.

Prizes:

1. One "fun" prize for those who sign up for the challenge prior to May 15. There are several ways to better your chances of winning...check out the post about the challenge to read more.
2. There will also be a prize awarded at the end of the challenge. You must complete the challenge in order to qualify for the drawing - but for each book read and reviewed, you will have one submitted entry. The grand prize will be a $20 Amazon gift certificate --- a great way to start the new fall reading season!

To read all the details and sign up for the challenge through Mr. Linky, please visit the post about the challenge.

Fill In The Gaps: 100 Books Project

April 1, 2009 - December 31, 2014

Moonrat at Editorial Ass has officially announced the Filling in the Gaps: 100 Books Project. Readers are asked to create a list of 100 books that they want to have read in their life to fill in some of the reading gaps of classics and great contemporary fiction....and then read at least 75% of those books within five (5) years.

Another blogger, Emily, has created a blog just for the purpose of sharing book lists and progress. She writes:

Well here is the place to come, look at lists and mark your progress and post links to reviews on the bookbook blog!

Want to join the project? Pick up a logo/graphic for the challenge on Emily's welcome post; then drop her an email to join The Fill In The Gaps Blog.

Thursday Tea - EVENT

Hosted by Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book

Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book is hosting a weekly event titled: Thursday Tea. She writes:

To play along, all you need is some tea, a book, and the will to answer some very simple questions: what tea are you drinking (and do you like it)? What book are you reading (and do you like it)? Tell us a little about your tea and your book, and whether or not the two go together.

Sound like fun? Visit Anastasia each week on Thursday and leave a link to your post in the comment section.

Final Frontier Reading Challenge

April 6 - October 6, 2009

Hosted by Becky at Becky's Book Reviews, the Final Frontier Reading Challenge is dedicated to reading books of a certain sub-genre of science fiction (including space travel, exploration, colonization, anything with aliens, etc...). Participants can choose from one of four levels of reading:

1. Fly Me To the Moon: Perfect for newbies just beginning to explore science fiction OR for those with sci-fi lovers with busy schedules. Read ONE book.
2. Spaceman: Read two to three qualifying books. (Or if you like substitute a movie for one of the books.)
3. Starman: Read four to six qualifying books. (Again, substitute a movie or two is fine. Especially if you'd like to compare the movie version to the book!)
4. Space Oddity: Perfect for those that can't get enough sci-fi! Read seven or more qualifying books!

To learn more and sign up, visit the post about the challenge.

Global Voices Book Challenge

April 1 - 30, 2009

I'm a little behind in posting this because it just came to my attention. Global Voices On Line is hosting an interesting reading challenge for the month of April. The rules are simple:

1) Read a book during the next month from a country whose literature you have never read anything of before.
2) Write a blog post about it during the week of April 23.
To learn more and to sign up (by leaving a comment), visit the post about the challenge.

Word Filled Wednesday - EVENT

Hosted by The 160 Acre Woods

Word-Filled Wednesday is a Christian-based, weekly event to share God's word through a photo and a verse. There are specific guidelines as to what is acceptable to fit the purpose of this event. Please refer to the page about this event to get more information.

To participate, visit The 160 Acre Woods blog each Wednesday to share a link to your post.

Anne Stuart Read-a-Fest

Ana of Cosy Little World is hosting the Anne Stuart Read-a-Fest.

For six whole months, starting April 15th to October 15th, I’ll be hosting the Anne Stuart Read-a-Fest, which consists in going through the author’s backlist and trying to read as many books as you can or want. This is not a book challenge so you don’t need to make a list beforehand, and reviewing is not mandatory but it’s highly recommended, as there will be prizes.

To find out more or to sign up go to Anne Stuart Read-a-Fest.

Arthurian Challenge - 2009/2010

April 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010

Becky from Becky's Book Reviews is once again hosting the Arthurian Challenge for 2009/10. The goal is to read books starring characters found in or inspired by Arthurian legends.

Guidelines:

• No set amount of books. Read one or two. Or read a dozen. You set the amount that feels good to you!
• No lists are necessary. You can change your mind on WHAT you reading or should that be WHO you’re reading at any time.
• If at any time you dislike a book, then feel free to discard it and pick up another.
• What about movies? What about graphic novels? What about comics? What about audio books? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. All of those things count.
• Kids books. YA books. Adult books. All count. What about series books? Or series books in all-in-one editions? I’m leaving it up to you.
• What about short stories or poetry? Yes and yes. Anything really can go.
• What about rereads? Sure why not!

Sound like fun? To learn more and sign up, visit the post about the challenge.